The Eastern Shore Baseball League was a Class D minor league baseball league that operated on the Delmarva Peninsula for parts of three different decades. The league's first season was in 1922 and the last was in 1949, although the years were not consecutive, and featured teams from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. The first incarnation lasted from 1922-27, the second from 1937-41, and the third from 1946-49. Though the level of play was competitive and many future major leaguers would gain experience in the ESBL, funding the league remained a constant problem for the rural franchises. A Class A California League game in San Jose, California (1994) Minor baseball leagues are North American professional baseball leagues that compete at a level below that of Major League Baseball. ... Delmarva Peninsula map The Delmarva Peninsula is a large peninsula on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by portions of three U.S. states: Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. ... 1922 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1949 is a common year starting on Saturday. ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich (R) Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000)  - Population 5,296,486 (19th)  - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admission... State nickname: The First State Other U.S. States Capital Dover Largest city Wilmington Governor Ruth Ann Minner Official languages None Area 6,452 km² (49th)  - Land 5,068 km²  - Water 1,387 km² (21. ... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner (D) Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th)  - Land 102,642 km²  - Water 8,220 km² (7. ...

Host cities

• Delaware: Dover, Milford, Seaford, Laurel, Rehoboth Beach,
• Maryland: Centreville, Easton, Federalsburg, Cambridge, Salisbury, Crisfield, Pocomoke City
• Virginia: Parksley

Future major leaguers who played in the ESBL include notables such as: John "Home Run" Baker, Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Bill "Swish" Nicholson, Mickey Vernon, and Don Zimmer. Location in Delaware Founded  -Incorporated 1683 1717  County Kent County Mayor Stephen R. Speed Area  - Total  - Water 58. ... Milford is a city located in Kent County, Delaware. ... Seaford is a city located in Sussex County, Delaware. ... Laurel is a town located in Sussex County, Delaware. ... Rehoboth Beach is a city located in Sussex County, Delaware. ... Centreville is a town located in Queen Annes County, Maryland. ... Easton is a town located in Talbot County, Maryland. ... Federalsburg is a town located in Caroline County, Maryland. ... Cambridge is a city located in Dorchester County, Maryland. ... Nickname: Crossroad of Delmarva Location in Maryland Founded  -Incorporated 1732   County Wicomico County Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman Area  - Total  - Water 29. ... Crisfield is a city located in Somerset County, Maryland. ... Pocomoke City is a city located in Worcester County, Maryland. ... Parksley is a town located in Accomack County, Virginia. ... Gordon Stanley Mickey Cochrane (April 6, 1903-June 28, 1962) was a catcher and manager in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers. ... James Emory Foxx (October 22, 1907 - July 21, 1967) was, up until Mark McGwires glory days in the late 1990s, the most prolific right-handed power hitter to ever play the game of baseball. ... William Beck Nicholson, nickamed Swish, was a 16-year veteran of Major League Baseball. ... Mickey Vernon, playing for Washington James Barton Vernon (Mickey) (born April 22, 1918 in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania) is a former Major League Baseball player for the Washington Senators (1939-1948, 1950-1955) for the majority of his career, plus 4 other teams: the Cleveland Indians (1949-1950, 1958), the Boston... Donald William Zimmer (born January 17, 1931 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a former infielder, manager and coach in Major League Baseball. ...

The Eastern Shore Baseball League by William Mowbray (1989) remains the most comprehensive source for ESBL history.